Fantasy Football 2024: 3 Sleepers Generating Buzz After Preseason Week 2

NFL preseason production offers no direct value to fantasy football managers.

The sources of those statistics, though, might matter a whole bunch.

When the stars align in preseason regarding field time and touches, there's always a chance they stay aligned even when the regular season kicks off. Breakout stars might be emerging before our eyes, so it's imperative to pay attention.

We'll spotlight three of Week 2's top performers with a real shot at sustaining this success during the season.

Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - MAY 10: Wide receiver Malik Nabers speaks to the media during New York Giants Rookie Minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on May 10, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

As this year's sixth overall pick, Malik Nabers could be destined for greatness. There have been reasons, though, to wonder if even goodness is achievable during his rookie season given the questions surrounding Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, who's coming off an awful, injury-riddled 2023 season.

The two sure appeared in sync Saturday, when Nabers caught four passes for 54 yards and even earned "Baldy's Breakdowns" treatment from NFL analyst Brian Baldinger afterward.

"Me and Daniel have been on page," Nabers told reporters. "The chemistry is there."

Nabers is effectively running unopposed in his bid to become New York's No. 1 receiver. He should have a chance to shine this season, even if Jones encounters more turbulence.

Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 17: Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears warms up before a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field on August 17, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

The Bears were in search of a spark when they made Caleb Williams this year's No. 1 pick, and he has provided several already to this point.

He can still be a bit erratic as a passer (he was 6-of-13 for 75 yards), but his loud plays are deafening. He had an electric 45-yard hookup with fellow rookie first-rounder Rome Odunze, then he improvised a field-reversing touchdown scramble.

"It's magical what he's doing back there in that backfield," Odunze said. "He's special."

The Bears have potentially positioned Williams for a special season, too. They invested heavily in the playmakers around him, drafting Odunze ninth overall, trading for Keenan Allen and signing D'Andre Swift and Gerald Everett. Tack on the incumbents like DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson, and this offense could be prolific.

Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - AUGUST 10: Xavier Worthy #1 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs downfield during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Xavier Worthy's fantasy potential started climbing the second he joined the Kansas City Chiefs (and Patrick Mahomes) as this year's 28th overall pick. Worthy's stock has only increased since.

Initially, it seemed like Worthy could carve out a field-stretching niche as a speedster in this offense, but his role could wind up significantly larger. With Rashee Rice facing a possible suspension, and Marquise Brown battling a shoulder injury, Worthy has a chance to become one of Mahomes' preferred targets.

Worthy's record-breaking speed jumped off the film during Week 2, when he turned three catches and one carry into 73 scrimmage yards and a score.

"There's high expectations on him," Mahomes told reporters. "I think he's doing a great job in the process of building and building. I think he's going to make a lot of big impact plays for us but we have other guys, too, that are going to help him so there's not too much pressure on him to make plays every single game."